Artist’s tax bill upheld by court

Outspoken Chinese artist Ai Weiwei says Beijing tax authorities have upheld a ruling that his company pay a multi-million dollar fine for alleged tax evasion following a review of his case.

Ai was detained for three months last year during a crackdown on dissent.

Following his release, authorities demanded his design company pay 15 million yuan (£1.5m) in back taxes and fines.

Activists interpreted the penalty as punishment for his criticism of the government.